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Former Army Chief VK Singh is not keen on appearing before the Privilege committee of the J&K Legislative council to explain his alleged comments about pay-offs to state politicians.

The decision, asking Gen Singh to appear in person on January 9, was taken at a Privilege’s Committee meeting under the chairmanship of Jugal Kishore Sharma in Jammu.

The motion was earlier moved during the last session of the Legislative Council, upper house of the assembly, by three National Conference MLCs.

It is learnt that former Army Chief may not turn up in person before the privilege committee to explain his position and may submit his written reply through his counsel or other emissary in order to buy more time. Meanwhile, the Privilege committee is expected to take a fresh view on the issue only after it would be clear that the former army chief was not going to turn up before the committee.

The summoning is besides a breach of privilege pending against Gen Singh with J&K assembly Speaker Mubarak Gul who issued a notice on October 24 asking him to explain his alleged remarks on pay-offs to some ministers from the Army’s secret funds during his tenure.

The notice was issued in response to a privilege motion moved against the former Army chief by 15 ministers and MLAs. Gen Singh had since submitted his reply along with a CD and the same was made public by the Speakers office and the reply was also circulated among the members of the house committee of the lower house.